| Abstract |
Introduction: Road traffic accidents are a major category of accidents due to their constantly increasing number and their fatal effects. The impact of road accidents incurred multiple human activities and causes loss of more years of life than any other cause of death.
Purpose: Purpose of this study is to monitor the fatal road accidents in the Region of Crete from 2001 to 2012. At the same time, it aims to identify hot spots and the emergence of factors and risk areas that increase the risk for fatal road accidents and are related to the main individual characteristics, time and place. Finally, its final goal is to highlight their impact on the society as well as to suggest prevention measures that could be adopted by the local society.
Material Method: Data were obtained by the official recording system of the National Emergency Center (Protocol number.: 50, Mr. Dimitrios Vourvachakis Director EKAB Crete). This study applied spatial statistical methods (Moran'I; Geographical Spatial Regression, Kriging Interpolation) as well as spatial descriptives that were performed in the Arc map 10 (GIS) software. At the same time, descriptives were exported from the statistical software SPSSv 20.00.
Results: During the years 2001-2012 in the region of Crete 1039 fatal traffic accidents were recorded. The highest rate was observed among men (80.85%) and Greeks (81.20%) comparing to women (19,02%) than foreigners (18,80%). The Average age is 34 years old. The spatiotemporal distribution of fatal road accidents was heterogenenious in Crete and it is expected to be increased in the future (with almost 0.001 to 54.50 new cases per municipality. The years 2005 and 2008 presented the highest risk for the occurrence of fatal road accidents (RR = 2,79; 95%CI=1,873-4,736) and (RR=3,87; 95%CI=1,972 - 5,038), respectively. Also, June presented almost 3.43 times higher risk (95%CI=1.726-5.027) as well as 12.01-18.01pm and 18.00- 00.00 pm (RR=1. 68; 95%CI=1.028-3.092 and 2.43; 95%CI=1.304 -4.487,
respectively). Furthermore, the high risk areas were : The Municipality of Heraklion, Platanias, Chania, Sfakia, Malevizi ,Gortyna, Archanes-Asteroussia, Xersonissos (RR=2.48,95%CI=1.369-3.267;p-value<0.001). Conclusions: Fatal road accidents cause severe public health problems in a society, but we should remember that they are predictable and preventable. A "safe system" should see the road transport system seeking to holistically manage the interaction between road users, speed and conditions of the voyage (individual and time) and other external factors (environment, emotional and physical condition). The GIS technology can contribute to the systematic recording of road accidents to their full extent, their analytical study and reach conclusions about the present and future variation. These conclusions will contribute to the creation of the optimum strategies regarding prevention and treatment of this major public health problem (such as proposed at the end of the study).
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Χωρική επιδημιολογική ανάλυση θανατηφόρων τροχαίων ατυχημάτων στην Κρήτη κατά το χρονικό διάστημα 2001-2012
